Following a great evening in Povoa where the fleet were hosted by the Club Naval Povense, crews enjoyed an evening of wine, beer and a selection of local foods accompanied by a talented guitarist and harmonicist duo. Due to the disrupted first passage from Plymouth to Bayona, this was the first chance to award prizes for fun competitive side of ARC Portugal including the winners of Class A and B, yachts Garretty and Nikita.
At midday yesterday in Pova de Varzim a northerly breeze allowed for a colourful downwind start of spinnakers and cruising chutes as they made their way to Porto, a short 12nm passage. Once crossing the finishing line marked by the outer breakwater on the mouth of the River Douro, one by one the fleet made their way up the river to Douro Marina including yacht Salsus, making it first time the fleet has been complete since leaving Plymouth.
Reports of a great days sailing and a warm welcome on the pontoons, the fleet were invited to welcome drinks and a crew dinner hosted by Douro Marina. Drinks on the terrace overlooking a sunset was followed by the prize giving for their fun days sailing where Vintage Port Wine was up for the taking. Spirit III, a Beneteau First 405 skippered by Keith Sammons was the clear winner of Class A and easily identified by their bright pink spinnaker. In Class B, Nikita again took the prize for coming first however this time closely followed by Remedy of Mylor and Ca Canny. A buffet with a wide selection of food followed and fun evening of sharing stories and photos from the days sail before residing back to their floating homes.
Today, crews get the chance to explore Porto and the south side of the River Douro on electric Tuk Tuks before being taken to Churchill’s Port Wine Lodge where they will partake in a tour and tastings of the wide range of Port on offer. Tonight is a free evening to venture into town, provision and enjoy Porto before taking to the start tomorrow morning, a 55nm passage to Figueira da Foz.